Sinn Féin - On Your Side

De Brún welcomes EU Social Inclusion programme in Employment

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has this morning spoken in the European
Parliament in support of the establishment of a community programme relating
to employment and social cohesion. The programme particularly supports
gender mainstreaming and people with disabilities.

Ms de Brún welcomed the report by Karin Jöns MEP regarding the establishment
of 'a Community programme for employment and social solidarity - PROGRESS'
between the years 2007 and 2013. In her speech, she stressed the importance
of providing support for NGOs.

Speaking from Strasbourg Ms de Brún said:

"Let us be clear, the current EU economic strategies are driving more and
more people into poverty within the European Union. I hope that this
PROGRESS programme can be an important instrument in the fight against
social exclusion and on this basis, I will be voting in favour of the report.

"I particularly want to welcome the emphasis placed upon the inclusion of
gender mainstreaming, people with disabilities and the NGO sector in this
programme. I also want to throw my support behind calls for an increase in
financial aid from €628.8 to €943.2 million. If projects such as those to be
supported by this programme are to be successful, then resources need to be
targeted and sustainable.

"The strengthening of gender equality should be supported wholeheartedly by
the European Parliament. In Ireland, the gender pay gap has substantially
increased for women and the gap between men's and women's pay is among the
largest of any EU member state. Irish women are paid 17% less for the same
work as Irish men.

"Sinn Féin believes in bringing about fundamental change within society to
both mindsets and social conditions. Let us be clear, the current economic
strategies are driving more and more people into poverty within the European
Union. I hope that the PROGRESS programme can be an important instrument in
the fight against social exclusion. On this basis, I will be voting in
favour of the report, and urge my fellow MEPs to do likewise." ENDS